Barwick and Brooking at war over plan to make Curbishley England boss

The Football Association's search for the next England coach is being complicated by a conflict of opinion between the two men charged with identifying him.

Brian Barwick, the FA chief executive, has said that nationality is not an issue and appears to be favouring a 'world class manager'. But Sir Trevor Brooking, the FA's director of football development, not only wants an Englishman but strongly favours West Ham manager Alan Curbishley.

That was denied by FA officials last night, but Soho Square insiders see the situation as a real problem when the two are supposed to be working in tandem in the search for Steve McClaren's successor.

Rumours were rife last night that Jose Mourinho would fly to London in the next 48 hours, but the FA denied any knowledge of that.

Barwick has been given the authority to make his own recommendation to the board. But the support of Brooking would undoubtedly help his case and

he may have to agree to

sanctioning Brooking's coaching reforms before he gets his backing in appointing a foreign coach.

Cracks already existed in the

relationship between the pair. One high-ranking source recently described it as 'terrible'. But Barwick has endeavoured to put such issues aside and tap into Brooking's obvious expertise.

Unfortunately for the FA,

however, the two cannot even agree on whether or not they should appoint another foreigner.

Brooking wanted Curbishley when the FA embarked on their flawed search for Sven Goran Eriksson's successor last year and in the end he was frozen out of the selection process.

What particularly angered Brooking was that Barwick and the board had already decided to offer the job to Luiz Felipe Scolari before

Curbishley, last of the candidates to be interviewed, had even been given the opportunity to impress.

Curbishley, while highly regarded for what he has achieved at West Ham as well as Charlton, is unlikely to meet Barwick's criteria for what he wants in the man who follows the hapless McClaren.

The former TV executive's own reputation is on the line after

playing such a significant role in the appointment of McClaren — after Scolari rejected his approach — and Curbishley could be seen as too much of a risk, as well as someone who does not fit the 'world-class' billing.

When a new coach is unveiled, Barwick wants to be seated alongside a man who will protect him from any criticism; someone with a record as impressive as Mourinho, Fabio Capello, Marcello Lippi or Martin O'Neill.

Barwick wants someone with charisma as well as first-class coaching credentials. Last night, the Italian duo of Capello and Lippi were emerging as favourites.

Barwick still hopes to make the appointment before Christmas but the pressure eased yesterday when the World Cup fixtures meeting scheduled for December 19 in Zagreb was postponed until January. It means Barwick and Brooking could yet go there accompanied by the new England coach.

In an interview yesterday, McClaren insisted his replacement will be able to select a side from top quality players. 'They really have to choose the best man and whoever that is, I believe there is enough in that squad to be successful,' he said.

'Unfortunately, it didn't work out for me but the new coach will have a great advantage going in — a long time to prepare.'

McClaren then spoke of how much he enjoyed his time with England. 'It isn't just 18 months I've worked with England, it's six and a half years and they've been fantastic,' he said.

'Even though it's ended like it's ended, I had incredible times, working with Sven, being on my own. The support I've had from the players, the staff around the team has really kept me going and that is what I value most, what's inside.

'The players were always good, the support I got from the admin and the medical staff was always fantastic and the support of the FA — I've got no qualms about that.

'I'm disappointed it's all over but that's football. Despite England only joining up every couple of months, you're not working with players day in, day out — I miss that. I miss it even more now, not actually being involved in something to focus on.'